Question:
Who has had experience with this problem?

To clarify: this condition is not related to my WLS. Don't want pre-ops to get scared. I had a consult with an ortho doctor yesterday and he told me I have osteoarthritis in both knees and within 2-5 years I wouls HAVE to have at least a partial knee replacement. Now I have had knee pain for years and was always told...if you lose weight the pain will go away. Well I did and it didn't. The doc said I was a little on the young side for this, that they don't usually operate on those under 55-65 unless its an extreme case. I guess injections are in my near future until surgery. I was wondering what some other's exerience might be in dealing with this condition. P.S. I tried to post this question yesterday but it didn't seem to go through, if it double-posts..sorry. Thanks!    — Patty.W (posted on December 7, 2004)

December 7, 2004
Hi Patty--I'm 46, female, 1 year two months post op. My knees were killing me before surgery, due to cartilage destruction. I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin 2 years before the surgery, and continue to take it still today. The weight loss has helped my knees, as has the glucosamine/chondroitin. Perhaps equally. My surgeon was very happy that I was taking glucosamine chondroitin. If your knee pain is due to loss of cartilage in the knee, glucosamine chondroitin will help re--grow cartilage, but your knees will never be 100% of what they could have been/or once were. However, I feel that my use of glucosamine chondroitin has at least postponed the need for surgery, perhaps permanently. If your knee pain is due to something else, well, good luck. I guess in many cases once the damage is done, it is done. However, after losing weight, you WILL rehabilitate much easier than you would if you had NOT lost the weight. Again, good luck. connie
   — Cisbell

December 8, 2004
Hi Patty I'm pre-op for dec 27, I have had knee pain for years. the shots he's talking about are called synvisc i have had 2 regime's of theses shots and they are great. they can last up to a year or longer depending on how bad the knees are and mine are the worst .I also have had one total knee replacement done already. my left knee knee replacement surgery is the abosolute most painfull thing i have ever gone through. and i've had it all done to me. and now waiting for wls take the shots they really help alot Hope you feel better and Happy Holidays to you and family
   — nk1213

December 8, 2004
Hi Patty, were in the same boat. MY knees are bad and having lost 60lbs they are now worse!I had the hygaln shots over a year ago and that was great but only lasted 2 months. I have synvisc shots in both knees to start tomorrow. my docotr says hes has had a better and longer success rate with drug.he also told me at my age (40) having knee replacemnts was not advised as i was too young and would most definalty be setting myself up for another surgery down the line. I sure dont want knee replacments..i just want to be pain free!! All the Best! Tracey
   — traceybubbles